Its time has come. We have seen this coming for many, many years. Hurray! There are a multitude of certifying bodies out there for riding instructors and barn managers.

Along with David and Karen O'Connor, we have been pushing for instructor certification for many years.  It is a requirement for employment within our management division.  We believe ANYONE who teaches riding lessons should be certified.  You could  have 5 gold medals - you should still be certified.  In fact, if you are that good, the process should be a piece of cake and as a medalist, you should feel compelled to set an example for all.

Why certification?  Because let's face it, what we do can be dangerous.  And if anyone in the world can call themselves an instructor or trainer without having to have some kind of proof - how scary is that?

Many newcomers to our sport know nothing about horses.  This is why certification is so important.  They don't even know what they don't know about horses or riding.  Newcomers are at a great disadvantage.  What if the instructor has no idea what he or she is doing and they have put their rider at risk for injury?  At least a newcomer could inquire if the instructor has certification prior to setting the lesson.  If he or she does have certification, then there is confidence that there is some level of competency.

I took my son many years ago (who at the time was 7) for his first riding lesson at an equestrian facility in Maryland.  We were given an instructor who was maybe 11 or 12 years old who was wearing flip flops and shorts.  I took one look at her and grabbed my son and ran for the door.  I knew better.  But how many others did not?  How many other kids took a lesson at this facility under those circumstances?  I can't begin to tell you how many laws were being broken and how the insurance company (if they had insurance) and their lawyer would react if they knew?

Liability exposure and finding affordable insurance is a BIG problem in our industry. Insurance companies don't like us - we are considered high risk. Why? Because there have been lots of accidents and lots of injuries. Trust me.  Locating affordable Worker's Compensation Insurance is near to impossible.  This is a direct result of too many accidents and too many claims.  We are considered such a high risk category, most insurance companies will not cover equestrian professionals.  The catch is that the state requires you have it.  If you have staff working at an equestrian facility and you are running payroll, you must carry Worker's Compensation Insurance.  What happens when no carrier will insure you or your staff?  You have to apply through the state who will then force a carrier to take your policy - and you will pay through the roof.

By creating base lines and standards within our industry, we can make it safer for everyone. This is the first step. Everyone who teaches must become certified. Don't be left behind. I guarantee employers will soon make this mandatory.

Below is an excerpt from the USHJA:

"The USHJA Trainer Certification Program... is intended to help promote trainer credibility and offer ongoing professional support. Certification does demonstrate a marketable merit of knowledge that will gain in credibility with each passing year."

Following are many of the certifying bodies:

• USHJA (www.ushja.org/content/TCP/index.aspx)
• USDF (www.usdf.org/education/instructor-certification)
• USEA (useventing.com/education.php?section=instructors)
• American Riding Instructor Association (ARIA) (www.riding-instructor.com/certification)
• Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA) (www.cha-ahse.org/)

Posted by jenniferd at 10:14 PM | Link | 0 comments